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2018 Mixtape.

The year in reflection and review

2018 was a year of contrasts. Swinging from highs to lows and everywhere in between. A year of re-evaluation, consideration and picking up the pieces from the aftermath of 2017. 2018 was a year of steep learning curves, learning (but not always mastering) the art of surrendering and embracing the practice of being gentle. In all its forms.

As the year evolved, many skins were shed, ideas considered and reincarnations attempted. A year for learning and remembering. Now, today, my birthday, I’m reflecting on the past twelve months, how far I’ve come and what the year (and Ganesha) have presented on the obstacle course of life. And it looks somewhat like this…

Braving the Wilderness, Dr Brené Brown

Books that blew me away:Braving the wilderness, I literally felt like I was reading about myself, and realised I was not alone in feeling the way I do. Revelatory.

Another book that made me sit up was Arianna Huffington’s Thrive. Redefining the idea of success and addressing the need to change our perceptions of what we actually need to focus on in 2018.

Our relentless pursuit of the two traditional metrics of success – money and power – has led to an epidemic of burnout and stress-related illnesses. An erosion in the quality of our relationships, family life, and, ironically, our careers. In being connected to the world 24/7, we’re losing our connection to what truly matters.

Sarah Blasko, Depth of Field, 2018

What’s on repeat:Sarah Blasko‘s new album Depth of Field. It makes me want to dance, every time. I saw her in Hobart, Tasmania and she was all of her amazingness on stage. It was a sight to behold her singing and dancing her heart out, and the crowd along with her.

Hanging out with a blanket on the couch with Harvey from Suits, his confidence, and the journey of self -realisation towards acceptance was a familiar one. That, along with his outrageous one-liners, and overall deliciousness.

On the subject of travel

Following the advice of the Dalai Lama.

2018 saw me adventuring to a few destinations that were completely new to me. As the new year dawned I hopped over to New Zealand for a month of adventures. An epic road trip around the south island, exploring the wild west coast (my absolute favourite).

I soaked in an onsen on the Shotover river (beyond amazing). Camped under the stars. Watched the cosmos from my sleeping bag. Woke up at dawn to listen to the cracking and shifting of the glacier on Mt Cook whilst watching the morning sun creep over the mountains.

Uluru, Central Australia

Midway through 2018 saw me do something I didn’t think would happen. An epic road trip from Adelaide to Alice Springs via the Oodnadatta track and Uluru. This trip changed me. Things inside shifted, changed, broke open, healed. Uluru is considered to the spiritual heart of Australia, and if it’s not on your list.

Add. It. Now. Run, don’t walk.

Discovered the amazingness of…living in my home country after many years of not wanting to live or be here. I have been rejoicing the loveliness in being able to speak my local lingo. Meeting people organically as well as through the maze of networks and our hyperlinked world. Feeling grateful for my home country that has so much to offer, and so many good people.

Rediscovered the salty goodness of margaritas. Need I say more…

I have been inspired by the photos of Australian photographer, Kara Rosenlund. She made me fall in love with the Australian landscape all over again. Motivated me to pick up my camera (again) and get out into the wilderness to take photos, recharge my batteries and reconnect with one of my first passions. Taking photos.

On the topic of gratitude

Felt repeatedly grateful for the love and support of my friends, from all the corners of the world. There were moments I felt completely alone, and then suddenly someone would pop up and give me a virtual or physical reminder of how much they love, miss and think of me.

Learnt the lesson that losing people from your life, isn’t always a loss, but more of a liberation. A tough one and it caused many sleepless nights. Angry conversations. Copious amounts of tears. A vicious circle of questions. But finally and slowly resulting in exhausted surrender (which I still sometimes forget, and leap back on the roundabout before remembering and leaping straight the f*ck off). 2018 has been a tough one for the repetition of this lesson.

On what turned out to be our last holiday together, September 2016.

All of this has been happening whilst riding the waves of grief. In 2017 I lost my father after a very brief fight with a late diagnosed cancer, at stage 4, to be precise. In 2018 I’ve been trying to regroup and return to my state of being. Not an easy task, I’ve discovered. The road of grief is a long, winding one that has a tendency to blindside you when you least expect it. Or at least, when I least expected it.

What this has taught me though is that health is more valuable than anything. Especially money. There are many ways to approach the topic of health and wellness, none of them are absolute. Time is one of the key healers, but so are sleep, sunshine, gazing in the never-never (distance) and laughter. Oh, and margaritas with girlfriends. Not to mention outrageous stories, cups of tea and hugs. On top of tests, days in hospital, and seeing every specialist under the sun.

And so we begin a new chapter, 2019

Wishing you a super fantastic end to another year. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2019 holds in store for us all.

Cheers to us and our fabulousness, thanks for joining me on this journey.

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If you’re looking for more posts from 2018 check them out here – or if you’d like to say hi or get more information about my coaching, training and workshops drop me a line – info (@) wayfairer.net